Free chess courses, from your first moves to 1800

Your first four weeks

A flexible plan: try two or three exercises per session, revisit them another day and play unhurried games. Each block may take longer than a week. Solving exercises alone does not show that you apply the idea in games.

1. Meet the pieces and captures

   Before moving, name the piece and check whether its destination is attacked.

   • 1. Meet your pieces
   • 2. Capture without giving pieces away

2. Care for your king and answer threats

   In an unhurried game, pause whenever there is check and explain how you remove it.

   • 3. Check, mate and stalemate
   • 6. Look for threats against you

3. Start a game with an idea

   Play a game and review one capture: did you check the opponent’s reply before moving?

   • 4. Start a game
   • 5. Captures: check for yourself

4. Test what you learned in fresh positions

   Return to difficult positions another day and explain the threat without a hint. Repeat the block if it is difficult.

   • Answer check calmly
   • Spot mate and avoid stalemate
   • Check before capturing